[Case reports on the importance of the locoregional radiotherapy of Merkel cell tumor].

The Merkel cell tumor is becoming an increasingly diagnosed primary neoplasm of the skin. This subepidermal tumor is commonly located on the head and neck or extremities of elderly patients. Occasionally misinterpreted as cutaneous metastases, they show a high rate of local recurrence (27 to 52%) and distant metastatic spread (18 to 52%). The definitive diagnosis can be made with immunohistochemistry. Wide surgical excision with postoperative irradiation to the local site and regional lymphatics is the therapy of choice. In seven patients we describe management strategies and discuss their clinical results.